This paper reviews the literature on the role of mediating cognitive factors in marital functioning and satisfaction. Types and patterns of causal attributions of distressed and nondistressed couples are compared and the effectiveness of various intervention models is discussed. The materials also discuss the role of unfulfilled expectations as a source of marital dissatisfaction. The impact of faulty perception on behaviorally oriented marital therapy is examined and the need for further research on cognitive variables is emphasized. In addition, the author describes current research investigating the relationship between perceptual accuracy and marital satisfaction. (JAC)